New rifle, One and only for Africa

Carter123

AH member
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Messages
21
Reaction score
27
Hunted
South Africa
Need some recommendations on a rifle for South Africa , born and raised here , and soon to buy my first rifle , I’m thinking somewhere in the categories of 308 and 270 , 243 . Anyone having any suggestions if they could only have one rifle for hunting animals such as impala , springbok , kudu , eland , zebra , wildebeest , Hartebeest , waterbuck , bushbuck and perhaps some smaller game like duiker and reedbuck
 
I would go with 7mm REM Mag or .300Win. These are the type of calibers you will want for hunting the myriad of PG in Africa. IMO the calibers you mention are just a little light for the variety of conditions you may face.
Philip
 
The 308 or 30-06 for a first rifle fits the bill perfectly. Every outfitter I talked to before going on my first hunt mentioned those two for a reason, they work. Not surprisingly most outfitters own one of those two for their own personal rifle and rental guns. I personally used a 30-06 for my first two hunts in Namibia taking everything from springbok to zebra and kudu without an issue. Plenty of eland have dropped to it too. But that said I'd have done as well with a 308. Go heavier or lighter for more specific purposes for a second or third rifle.
 
Before my first trip to RSA, I asked this question of the man who would be our PH.
He was born and raised in Limpopo Province and hunted since a child & his answer was to bring my .308 with 180 grain bullets. He had grown up shooting a .308 and had taken all available plains game and some DG with it. I considered that a well qualified reference.
He was right as my longest shot was 150 yards. Most were less than 50 yards.
 
Need some recommendations on a rifle for South Africa , born and raised here , and soon to buy my first rifle , I’m thinking somewhere in the categories of 308 and 270 , 243 . Anyone having any suggestions if they could only have one rifle for hunting animals such as impala , springbok , kudu , eland , zebra , wildebeest , Hartebeest , waterbuck , bushbuck and perhaps some smaller game like duiker and reedbuck
None of these mentioned....
308 is light for caliber at 165gr
270 is too fast and too light for caliber as standard load 130gr
243 is a peashooters only good for springbuck and blesbuck at long range anything else is either shot to pieces or wounded and lost.....if the wind is not blowing with 87gr....

7x57 can do anything a 308 or 270 can....

7x57
30-06

With the right bullet and load would cover all of the above.....

Magnums such as 7mm RM and 300 WM are great if you are a trophy hunter and can handle the recoil not so good for a meat hunter at bushveldt ranges....

One rifle for all you mention? I would use a 7x57mm, ammo is cheap available etc. it is not like you will be hunting eland everytime....you gonna be hunting impala , warthogs, kudu, blesbuck, springbuck etc.

Ask Karamojo.....he will concur....
 
Koos Barnard in his book 101 Cartridges suggests that for the guy who only intends to hunt non dangerous game in any and all areas of RSA with one rifle would do well to consider the 7x64 . His argument is that it can be loaded up to 175 grain and down to 130grains which pretty much covers 243,270,308 30-06 territory. He was so convincing that I bought one and settled on 168 grn Noslers as feed stock. Also it doesn’t kick that hard so range time is a pleasure.
 
Need some recommendations on a rifle for South Africa , born and raised here , and soon to buy my first rifle , I’m thinking somewhere in the categories of 308 and 270 , 243 . Anyone having any suggestions if they could only have one rifle for hunting animals such as impala , springbok , kudu , eland , zebra , wildebeest , Hartebeest , waterbuck , bushbuck and perhaps some smaller game like duiker and reedbuck
Hi Carter 123,
I would not go under 30-06 or 300 Winmag.
180 or 200 grain bullets of premium brand, A-frame, Oryx or similar.
Eland are big animals and Hartebeest are notoriously tough!
Why nor a 375?
Brgds,
Marc
 
This Yank has no opinion, having never been there. You’re asking in the right place though. It would come down to a few of the recommended choices followed by what is available for ammo. Or vice-versa.
 
You write this is your first rifle which indicates you have little shooting experience . Get a rifle and start training. Get it sighted in then start using sticks and shoot frequently plus position and offhand weekly. Use a full magazine and practice chambering and unloading. Bench rest shooting is no help for use in the field. Loading and firing one round does not help you in the field. Your lack of experience would prompt me to suggest a cartridge without hefty recoil. Something like a 30/06 comes to mind, no larger for a beginner planning a South African ranch/lodge hunt. Dry fire off the sticks in your backyard focus on follow through until the sight picture does not jump around. Jammed rifles and confusion on the sticks and jumpy nerves cause more issues than calibers for beginners. Kindest regards
 
Sounds like you want something very manageable for just starting out, yet capable. 30-06. Not much recoil and gets it all done, and ammo is readily available everywhere.
 
None of these mentioned....
308 is light for caliber at 165gr
270 is too fast and too light for caliber as standard load 130gr
243 is a peashooters only good for springbuck and blesbuck at long range anything else is either shot to pieces or wounded and lost.....if the wind is not blowing with 87gr....

7x57 can do anything a 308 or 270 can....

7x57
30-06

With the right bullet and load would cover all of the above.....

Magnums such as 7mm RM and 300 WM are great if you are a trophy hunter and can handle the recoil not so good for a meat hunter at bushveldt ranges....

One rifle for all you mention? I would use a 7x57mm, ammo is cheap available etc. it is not like you will be hunting eland everytime....you gonna be hunting impala , warthogs, kudu, blesbuck, springbuck etc.

Ask Karamojo.....he will concur....

@IvW I think you are spot on with the 7x57 and/or 30-06 recommendation, especially since the OP is in RSA.

As for your comment on the 270 (270 is too fast and too light for caliber as standard load 130gr), that is why there is a 150 gr bullet available. The 270 probably offers more versatility.
 
I personally don't think .308 or .270 are bad options, with the right bullets.
I also think those saying .30-06 are spot on as well.
Shot placement, adherence to personal limits, and a good bullet are critical, IMHO.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,630
Messages
1,131,518
Members
92,689
Latest member
SVCBoyd46
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Impact shots from the last hunt

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top